Comparing Celtic with Paris Saint-Germain may be fanciful, but according to some in the Square Mile it is a reality.
Shares in the Scottish football club popped higher today after Nigel Parson, an analyst at Canaccord, said he believes Celtic is undervalued.
Parson thinks the industry must re-evaluate itself after yesterday US private equity giant Silver Lake snapped up a 10% stake in the owners of Manchester City, giving City Football Group an astonishing $4.8 billion (£3.7 billion) valuation.
The analyst said Celtic could be bought outright or sell a stake to a potential buyer that wants access to the huge Champions League coffers.
He said: “There is huge asset price inflation for sporting franchisees at the moment. Celtic is a big fish in a small pond. Its fanbase is enormous and its stadium is filled week after week.
“I don’t think the club is any different to Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain, which dominates domestically and plays in the Champions League.”
Parson also said that, were Celtic ever admitted to the English Premier League, its value would skyrocket.
One trader said football clubs were becoming increasingly attractive assets.
Comparing Celtic with Paris Saint-Germain may be fanciful, but according to some in the Square Mile it is a reality.
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